Friday's long slow run

[LeeU]

I was going to start off with a joke, something along the lines of, "I was on the treadmill for nearly an hour today, I'm hoping that tomorrow someone will show me how to use it!", or "I ran for nearly an hour today, that mobile sweet shop driver does this to the fatties on purpose" , but I won't.

I forced myself to stay at my slow pace, last week's long run was run at a faster pace as I was playing around a little to see what I could do, rather like a child with a new toy but I am a man and we hit 6 and never mentally grow past that.

The first 5 minutes were hell, it seemed to drag on for ever, in fact it got to the point where I was thinking I was going to stop the run and try again tomorrow it was THAT bad.

But, I persevered and soon enough the half way point, 27.5 minutes came and went, heartbeat and breathing steady and well under control.

30 minutes, 40, 45, 50 and then along came 55 minutes, the target for the run, Mrs LeeU mentioned that I looked a little flushed (I think she meant BRIGHT RED) but I was quite happy, yes I was hot and very sweaty but I'd just jogged for 55 minutes, heartbeat and breathing steady and well under control, so I carried on and jogged for another 5 minutes, I even put on an extra 1.5kph for the last minute.

I did record my slowest ever 5k time, 50 minutes (@6kph) but the object of this run wasn't speed.

I'm a firm believer in technology and looking at the figures for my 50 minute run last week and this mornings 60 minute run, today's had a lower overall average heartrate, last week 146 average, today's 140. Recovery time (on my Garmin) for the 50 minute was 72 hours, todays is 48 hours so a lot less effort went into speed, it went into extending the run.

So I've now hit my 60 minute target, I'll redo that run again, I'm not going to push past the 60 minute mark just yet, I want to work on upping my 20-30 minute pace a little, I'll keep the longer run at 45-50 minutes for now, maybe push the odd one out to 60 minutes.

Monday should be a nice little speed run, Wednesday may be an outdoor run as I'm itching to get out running.

The swimming is going well too, I did 26 lengths yesterday (650m), my target is 40 (1km) but I'll work my way up to that.

Happy running everyone.

[Goslow Graduate]

Wow well done you 🏃‍♀️

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Goslow]

Thank you, you are doing too bad yourself.

[Goslow Graduate in reply to LeeU]

Thank you 😊

[Debston Graduate]

Wow, you're doing great. And swimming too! I keep thinking about having a couple of regular swimming sessions per week but never actually getting round to it.

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Debston]

Thanks, I've always loved swimming, after getting back from holiday where we had been swimming in the sea several times a day we decided it was a good exercise for us alongside the running.

I think the target of 1km 2-3 times a week is easily achievable and maintainable.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

You've been very busy with running now swimming . That just sounded like a really enjoyable run. Well done you 😊😊

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks, the first 5 minutes were horrible, not sure why, I think I was over thinking the time part of the run.

The rest of the run though was brilliant, once I'd cleared my head regarding the time it was great. So great that I could have carried on past the 60 minute mark.